Boxing is Suffering a Fight Deficit at the Hands of Greedy Business
There was a time when becoming a world champion, testing yourself against the best and building a legacy were the primary objectives for professional boxers. The money was important, but the prevailing attitude was simple: fight the best, win titles and the money will eventually come. Today, that mentality appears to be changing, and it is one reason many fans believe boxing is in decline.
THE DOWNWARD TREND
Let’s consider some of the recent examples. Keyshawn Davis had the opportunity to face WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney in what could have been a career-defining fight. Davis initially turned down a $3 million offer, while he ultimately walked away from a purse-bid opportunity that would have paid him more than $2 million.
Then there is Hamzah Sheeraz. After Queensberry won a $1,001,809 purse bid for what would’ve been a mandatory defense against Janibek Alimkhanuly, Sheeraz was entitled to approximately $751,000. Instead, he vacated the WBO super middleweight championship. Sheeraz cited his objection to Alimkhanuly’s mandatory status and the WBO’s handling of his previous drug-test situation. To many fans, it’s excuse-making from someone who wanted more money. Nevertheless, the result was another championship fight that never happened.
Nelson Hysa provides another troubling example. According to promoter Frank Warren, Hysa agreed to terms and completed the contract process for a fight with WBC heavyweight champion Agit Kabayel only to withdraw days later. It’s stunning that Hysa would turn down such an opportunity.
THE BIGGER PROBLEM
It is completely understandable that today’s fighters want to maximize their earning potential. Boxing careers are short, injuries are real and financial security matters. However, there is a difference between protecting your future and developing a sense of entitlement about what you believe you deserve.
Previous generations routinely took dangerous fights because legacy came first. They understood that championships, memorable victories and proving themselves against the best could ultimately create greater financial rewards. If today’s fighters increasingly prioritize the perfect payday over meaningful competition, the long-term consequences could be serious. Fewer elite matchups mean fewer memorable fights, weaker championship reigns and less emotional investment from fans.
It only feeds boxing’s growing negative narrative: too much business, not enough fighting. If that mindset continues, boxing risks losing what money cannot buy – the belief that its greatest fighters actually want to prove they are the best.
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